Kenya’s celebrated runners Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have been honored with cash rewards of Ksh 5 million each following their record-breaking runs at the Prefontaine Classic held in Eugene, Oregon. The awards were presented by Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who praised the athletes for bringing pride to the nation with their outstanding achievements.
Faith Kipyegon shattered her own world record in the 1500 meters, finishing with an incredible time of 3:48.68. This remarkable feat improved upon her previous record of 3:49.04, cementing her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners globally.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Chebet made history by becoming the first woman to run the 5000 meters in under 14 minutes. She clocked an impressive 13:58.06, breaking the previous world record held by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. Both athletes expressed their gratitude and commitment to inspiring the next generation of Kenyan runners.
These rewards are part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to motivate elite athletes as the country prepares for major upcoming events, including the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
By Nairobiwire